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BING SELFISH
In Off-on-a-Tangent Park
(2018/2019 - El Frenzy - UK)

https://bingselfish.bandcamp.com/

If you try and look up who Bing Selfish is, you will only find a self description on his website claiming "Bing Selfish, poet, musician, filmmaker, dramatist, dramaturge, drama queen, a identified musical prodigy...." When I asked the so called label owner (at El Frenzy) I was quickly diverted and that person slipped away as quickly as possible. Perhaps Bing is the label manager as well as being (ha ha ha) the prolific songwriter and jack of all trades he has become. Nevertheless, the mystery may continue forever about his real name, but all we need to know really, is how good his music is. 'In Off-on-a-Tangent Park' is his umpteenth recording.

Bing has a perfect concoction of theatrical, humorous, social, and political presentation, so nicely put into song and lyric, with just the right amount of camp and coziness. All in a lo-fi manner that is all his own, the music sometimes reminds one of a pile-up of Captain Sensible and a one bedroom studio version of Andy Partridge. There is also the distinct sparse but charming atmosphere of Philip Moxham (Young Marble Giants/The Gist). To be sure, this exact sound is Bing's trademark and he wears the deceivingly disheveled suit with pride. What often has the sound quality of a 4-track cassette recording, is simply the formula that this artist has chosen to work with. One might imagine his music in a more polished and lush production, but it would not have the same mojo. So with that, the strength of the material is what continually shines and attracts the fans over and over again. If basic in sound quality, the result is anything but average or ordinary.

With the many releases this man has given, the fountain has not even come close to drying up. The flow is possibly as strong as it has ever been. Experience, the wisdom that age brings, or just raw talent? I vote on all of the above. It is also clear that Mr. Selfish has both feet on the ground, ears to present and past news, and eyes on reality. The material he presents in the 13 tunes here is varied, yet very socially aware, such as 'Fracking'. No mystery what this song is about. None of his tunes go on very long. No extended epics, but just enough time to state his subject matter and insightful lyrics, in a whimsical decorum. Nothing complex, nothing overblown, just using his own stamp on simplistic song and instrumental form, to say what he feels a need to sing.  This is also a combination that allows vast creation and instant outcomes (and nice conclusion). Bing Selfish makes music that is witty, concise, and attractive in a reveal of issues, that mostly nudge our wishful lives and take us back to the dreams we had in our youth. With a folky almost campfire style oftentimes, Bing sprinkles us with storytelling in fine form.

     ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 8 - 9 - 2019   
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A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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